2001 Ford Focus Problems and Recalls (1,719 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2001 Ford Focus is Electrical (24% of 1,719 owner reports). There are 14 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Electrical — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-15 1,719 complaints · 14 recalls

What problems show up on the 2001 Ford Focus?

418 of 1,719 filings named Electrical (24% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Fuel system (259 reports).

There are 14 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Wheels, Glass / wipers / cameras, Electrical, Steering, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2000 has 3,600 reports on file; this year has 1,719. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2001 Ford Focus

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 14 campaigns on file below.
  2. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  3. Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
  4. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Electrical. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Electrical 418 complaints · 24.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 168
  • Fires 45
  • Injuries 134
  • Deaths 8
Compare with 2000 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) appears in 418 of 1,719 owner complaints (24.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 418 complaints, 24.3% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 crash reports 23 fire reports 418 · 24.3% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 259 complaints, 15.1% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 6 crash reports 2 fire reports 259 · 15.1% Engine (ENGINE): 204 complaints, 11.9% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 4 crash reports 8 fire reports 204 · 11.9% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 143 complaints, 8.3% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 12 crash reports 143 · 8.3% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 126 complaints, 7.3% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 87 crash reports 7 fire reports 126 · 7.3% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 113 complaints, 6.6% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 15 crash reports 113 · 6.6% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 65 complaints, 3.8% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 5 crash reports 1 fire reports 65 · 3.8% Steering (STEERING): 58 complaints, 3.4% of reports Steering (STEERING) 11 crash reports 1 fire reports 58 · 3.4% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 50 complaints, 2.9% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 10 crash reports 1 fire reports 50 · 2.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 1,318 complaints, 76.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 119 crash reports 30 fire reports 1,318 · 76.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 418 24.3% 3 crashes · 23 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 259 15.1% 6 crashes · 2 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 204 11.9% 4 crashes · 8 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 143 8.3% 12 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 126 7.3% 87 crashes · 7 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 113 6.6% 15 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 65 3.8% 5 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 58 3.4% 11 crashes · 1 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 50 2.9% 10 crashes · 1 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1,318 76.7% 119 crashes · 30 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2000; the first recall shown was reported in Dec 2000. 2000-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2001-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2001-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2001-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 2001-Q4: 27 owner reports 27 2002-Q1: 36 owner reports 36 2002-Q2: 123 owner reports 123 2002-Q3: 102 owner reports 102 2002-Q4: 57 owner reports 57 2003-Q1: 73 owner reports 73 2003-Q2: 64 owner reports 64 2003-Q3: 90 owner reports 90 2003-Q4: 52 owner reports 52 2004-Q1: 94 owner reports 94 2004-Q2: 53 owner reports 53 2004-Q3: 64 owner reports 64 2004-Q4: 77 owner reports 77 2005-Q1: 64 owner reports 64 2005-Q2: 46 owner reports 46 2005-Q3: 45 owner reports 45 2005-Q4: 38 owner reports 38 2006-Q1: 31 owner reports 31 2006-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2006-Q3: 40 owner reports 40 2006-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2007-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2007-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2007-Q3: 25 owner reports 25 2007-Q4: 26 owner reports 26 2008-Q1: 29 owner reports 29 2008-Q2: 25 owner reports 25 2008-Q3: 25 owner reports 25 2008-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2009-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2009-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2009-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2009-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2010-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2010-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2010-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2011-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2011-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2011-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2011-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2012-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2012-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2012-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2012-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2013-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2013-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2013-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2013-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2014-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2014-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2014-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2000 Oct 2021 Recall campaign 00V418000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V418000 Recall campaign 01V108000 ◆ Recall campaign 01V108000 Recall campaign 01V258000 ◆ Recall campaign 01V258000 Recall campaign 01I017000 ◆ Recall campaign 01I017000 Recall campaign 02V288000 ◆ Recall campaign 02V288000 Recall campaign 02V289000 ◆ Recall campaign 02V289000 Recall campaign 03V482000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V482000 Recall campaign 05V030000 ◆ Recall campaign 05V030000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 06E049000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E049000 Recall campaign 08E050000 ◆ Recall campaign 08E050000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Recall campaign 12E007000 ◆ Recall campaign 12E007000 Investigation PE02020 ● Investigation PE02020 Investigation PE02026 ● Investigation PE02026 Investigation PE02040 ● Investigation PE02040 Investigation PE02044 ● Investigation PE02044 Investigation EA02014 ● Investigation EA02014 Investigation EA02017 ● Investigation EA02017 Investigation EA02022 ● Investigation EA02022 Investigation EA02023 ● Investigation EA02023 Investigation AQ10001 ● Investigation AQ10001
  • Campaign 00V418000 was reported 67 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 01V108000 was reported 171 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 01V258000 was reported 285 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 02V288000 was reported 646 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 02V289000 was reported 449 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 05V030000 was reported 1,577 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 08E050000 was reported 2,306 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 2,579 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2000-Q4 Owner reports 2
2001-Q1 Owner reports 9
2001-Q2 Owner reports 16
2001-Q3 Owner reports 22
2001-Q4 Owner reports 27
2002-Q1 Owner reports 36
2002-Q2 Owner reports 123
2002-Q3 Owner reports 102
2002-Q4 Owner reports 57
2003-Q1 Owner reports 73
2003-Q2 Owner reports 64
2003-Q3 Owner reports 90
2003-Q4 Owner reports 52
2004-Q1 Owner reports 94
2004-Q2 Owner reports 53
2004-Q3 Owner reports 64
2004-Q4 Owner reports 77
2005-Q1 Owner reports 64
2005-Q2 Owner reports 46
2005-Q3 Owner reports 45
2005-Q4 Owner reports 38
2006-Q1 Owner reports 31
2006-Q2 Owner reports 18
2006-Q3 Owner reports 40
2006-Q4 Owner reports 28
2007-Q1 Owner reports 19
2007-Q2 Owner reports 14
2007-Q3 Owner reports 25
2007-Q4 Owner reports 26
2008-Q1 Owner reports 29
2008-Q2 Owner reports 25
2008-Q3 Owner reports 25
2008-Q4 Owner reports 17
2009-Q1 Owner reports 12
2009-Q2 Owner reports 13
2009-Q3 Owner reports 13
2009-Q4 Owner reports 14
2010-Q1 Owner reports 19
2010-Q2 Owner reports 14
2010-Q3 Owner reports 6
2010-Q4 Owner reports 7
2011-Q1 Owner reports 10
2011-Q2 Owner reports 8
2011-Q3 Owner reports 12
2011-Q4 Owner reports 6
2012-Q1 Owner reports 8
2012-Q2 Owner reports 8
2012-Q3 Owner reports 11
2012-Q4 Owner reports 13
2013-Q1 Owner reports 4
2013-Q2 Owner reports 10
2013-Q3 Owner reports 6
2013-Q4 Owner reports 2
2014-Q1 Owner reports 6
2014-Q2 Owner reports 5
2014-Q3 Owner reports 8
2014-Q4 Owner reports 3
2015-Q1 Owner reports 2
2015-Q2 Owner reports 5
2015-Q3 Owner reports 7
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 4
2016-Q2 Owner reports 2
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
2016-Q4 Owner reports 3
2017-Q1 Owner reports 3
2017-Q2 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 3
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q1 Owner reports 2
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2018-Q3 Owner reports 1
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 1
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q3 Owner reports 4
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q3 Owner reports 1
2021-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 00V418000
Recall campaign 1 01V108000
Recall campaign 1 01V258000
Recall campaign 1 01I017000
Recall campaign 1 02V288000
Recall campaign 1 02V289000
Recall campaign 1 03V482000
Recall campaign 1 05V030000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 06E049000
Recall campaign 1 08E050000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Recall campaign 1 12E007000
Defect investigation 1 PE02020
Defect investigation 1 PE02026
Defect investigation 1 PE02040
Defect investigation 1 PE02044
Defect investigation 1 EA02014
Defect investigation 1 EA02017
Defect investigation 1 EA02022
Defect investigation 1 EA02023
Defect investigation 1 AQ10001
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Safety Recalls (14)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Wheels, Glass / wipers / cameras, Electrical, Steering, and Lights.

  1. Recall campaign 00V418000

    Safety recall 00V418000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    IF THE SEAT IS THEN RETURNED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION WITHOUT RE-ENGAGING THE HINGE PIVOT, THE SEAT AND SEAT BELTS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SEAT BACK HINGE PIVOT.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 01I017000

    Wheels

    Report date
    Component:
    Wheels (WHEELS)
    Consequence:
    THE WHEEL BEARINGS COULD PREMATURELY WEAR AND CAUSE A NOTICEABLE NOISE. IF NOT REPAIRED, THIS CONDITION COULD PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEEL BEGINS TO WOBBLE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ADDITIONAL BEARING SEALS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO ENSURE A SMOOTH RIDE. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2002, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVICED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 00S31, FORD HAS TAKEN ADDITIONAL STEPS TO KEEP THE WHEEL BEARINGS IN TOP SHAPE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 01V108000

    Safety recall 01V108000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BACK RECLINER HANDLE SPRING FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 01V258000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    Consequence:
    LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 02V288000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    THIS, IN TURN, COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR THE CONDITION OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND PROPER TIGHTENING OF THE TERMINAL ENDS. AS NECESSARY, CABLES WILL BE REROUTED, RETAINING CLIPS INSTALLED, AND DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 02V289000

    Steering

    Report date
    Component:
    Steering (STEERING)
    Consequence:
    LOOSE PINCH BOLTS COULD EXHIBIT NOISE, VIBRATION AND, IN EXTREME CASES IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, SEPARATION OF THE JOINT OR FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE PINCH BOLT FOR TIGHTNESS AND CORRECT AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 03V482000

    Safety recall 03V482000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 05V030000

    Safety recall 05V030000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 06E026000

    Safety recall 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 06E049000

    Safety recall 06E049000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Recall campaign 08E050000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  14. Recall campaign 12E007000

    Safety recall 12E007000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-14
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 1,719 complaints · page 1 of 69
2021-12-21WHEELS
NHTSA ODI 11444566
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving her vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, the ball joint snapped on the vehicle's passengers side. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated nor any indication of a failure prior to the ball joint snapping. The contact stated that when the failure happened to her vehicle it caused her to crash into a ditch. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained and the vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains currently. The contact stated that she did contact the dealer as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.
2021-09-15Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11433112
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The front dashboard and steering wheel airbags went off. if I was moving this could’ve ended even worse but luckily I was stopped. My hearing was affected. I was parked at a red light and my airbags went off. I did not hit anything nor was my car moving. Witnesses at a restaurant and auto repair shop say the same. My car had passed that years inspection and there was no signs of this happening. No lights, sounds, anything. It was very sudden.
2021-04-12Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11407527
CrashFireInjuryDeath
KEEPS SHUT OFF N OVER HEATING
2020-09-17Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11355484
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ON 9/2/2020 AROUND 10 PM IN MICHIGAN I WAS MAKING A PIZZA DELIVERY, I PULLED INTO THE SUBDIVISION WHERE I HAD TO MAKE THE DELIVERY, ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. I GOT MY CAR FO SAFTEY AWAY FROM THE HOUSES BECAUSE MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS SAFETY. I GRAB MY PHONE TO CALL MY BOSS, I THOUGHT MY CAR JUAT BROKE DOWN. THEN I SAW SMOKE AND SPARKS. I CALLED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE CARS SMOKE GOT DARKER AND THE FLAMES GOT BIGGER. I WAS VERY SCARED. ALL MY WINDOWS EXPLODED AND THE CAR MELTED TO GROUND. BY THE LOOKS OF MY PHOTO THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND CABLES. EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT, I'VE BEEN SCARED OF FIRES, HOT SURFACES, AND WEARY AROUND CARS. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE BUT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH. LUCKILY IT DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING NEAR BY ON FIRE.
2020-08-06EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NHTSA ODI 11343641
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THERE ARE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY REAR LIGHTS. MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK AT ANYTIME AND SOMETIMES NONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS WORK AT ALL.
2020-07-18Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11340189
CrashFireInjuryDeath
SEE COMPLAINT 11338120 I WANTED TO ADD PICTURES
2020-07-08Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11338120
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE I FIND RUST RECALLS FOR 2001 FOCUS FUSIONS AND WINDSTARS FORD CLAIMS THERE IS NO RECALL FOR FRAME COLLAPS FROM EXCESSIVE RUST PROBLEMS. WE PULLED OUT OF OUR DRIVE HEADED UP A BLIND HILL AND THE FRONT END TOTALLY COLLAPSED LEAVING US AS AN EASY TARGET. SEVERAL GOOD FOLKS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO HELP US GET THE MESS SAFELY OFF OF THE STATE HIGHWAY BY BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND HELPING US DRAG IT BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. WE ARE IN OUR 70'S AND ONLY DRIVE THE CAR 7-8 THOUSAND MILES A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN BABIED AND MAINTAINED BY THE BOOK IT ENTIRE LIFETIME . CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD HAVE GOTTEN US NO WHERE! WHERE DO WE TURN ?
2020-06-15Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11328839
CrashFireInjuryDeath
KEEPS OVER HEATING. *TR
2019-11-20Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11281301
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2001 FORD FOCUS ZX3 STALLS WHEN DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED SOMEONE TO REAR END MY CAR. NOW WONT STAY RUNNING WHEN IDLING. CAR CUTS OFF AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS OR WHEN BREAKING OR ENGAGING CLUTCH.
2019-03-14Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11186950
CrashFireInjuryDeath
AFTER DRIVING FROM WORK TO HOME, ABOUT 4.6 MILES, I TURNED RIGHT INTO MY PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF MY HOME WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE THE CAR ACCELERATED DIRECTLY INTO THE ROCK WALL THAT SERVES AS A BARRIER BETWEEN THE PARKING, WALKWAY AND BUILDING; I IMMEDIATELY PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, PUT IT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I HAD IT TOWED INTO MY MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY FOUND "THROTTLE CABLE WAS BOUND UP" AND THEY "RE-ROUTED CABLE PROPERLY." I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS EVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR VEHICLE ACCELERATING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON THIS MODEL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE CABLES CAN BECOME BOUND UP. THIS WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS AUTOMOBILE AND HAVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SUGGESTIONS IN THEIR GUIDE BOOK.

Ford Focus Powershift: What NHTSA Complaints Show

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2001 Ford Focus?

Owners named Electrical most often — 418 of 1,719 reports (24%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Ford Focus?

NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Wheels, Glass / wipers / cameras, Electrical, Steering, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2001 Ford Focus?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-14. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources